Breastfeeding is the greatest joy for a mother and a true act of love in motherhood. According to the World Health Organization, the baby should be exclusively breastfed until the 6th month of life. After this period, new foods and drinks can and should start to be introduced into the baby’s life, whether or not weaning has occurred. Some mothers are able to breastfeed their child until the second year of life, and this is great for the child’s health and the bond between mother and baby.
However, for various reasons or simply when the inevitable time for weaning arrives, some fears or questions may arise for the mother. Will the baby suffer with weaning? Is it really the right moment to wean? How should weaning be done? The first and best thing to do is certainly to talk to your pediatrician about it. They can recommend the best weaning method for your specific situation and advise you on how to proceed, but some decisions can start being made regarding weaning. Depending on the baby’s age, if the mother has to return to work, she can start to store her own milk to be given to the baby when she is not at home. Expressing breast milk is a great option in cases where weaning needs to happen during the day, precisely because the mother is returning to work. Although there are now laws that ensure mothers are allowed breaks to breastfeed, spending some time away from home means mothers will need to adjust these feedings.
Another situation is when the baby is over 2 years old and the pediatrician advises weaning, or the mother wishes to stop breastfeeding, or due to other compelling reasons, weaning must happen. A child who is over 2 years old can, in fact, continue breastfeeding if the mother wishes, but it’s important to note that all nutrients the child would receive from breastfeeding can and should be introduced in solid form to support natural development. With the introduction of new foods to facilitate weaning, the baby may really enjoy the new food options being offered and things may get much easier—some babies even give up breastfeeding on their own without any active weaning needed. The introduction of another type of milk is very important, and this will be recommended by the pediatrician caring for the baby.
But how should weaning be done if the baby is very used to the breast?
There are some techniques for weaning, some quite radical, such as total abstinence from breastfeeding (stopping all feeds at once) and some methods like applying something with a bad taste (aloe, boldo, etc.) to show the baby that the breast they loved now tastes bitter. Both methods may work, but they can be a bit traumatic for the baby. The ideal is gradual weaning, where the mother slowly eliminates the feeds that are not so important for the baby. These feeds can gradually be replaced with snacks, fruits, and even natural vitamins or juices.
Lastly, the most important phase: the remaining feeds, that is, completing weaning with total withdrawal. The feeds that are left are usually at night, when the baby has the most intense contact with the mother at bedtime after spending all day away from the breast. These are indeed the most complicated and difficult to eliminate… Difficult for the mother, as breastfeeding creates a very strong emotional bond with her child, it’s a moment of intimacy and deeply fulfilling for a woman. Difficult for the child, who has always been used to the comfort of the breast and maternal food. Nighttime weaning can happen by replacing breastfeeding with cuddling, a moment of attention and being held, along with a new snack or milk appropriate for the child’s age. Of course, it won’t be the same as that special breastfeeding gaze, but it will greatly soothe the longing for those moments. For the baby, what matters is having attention and their mother nearby.
I want to wean—will I continue to produce milk? No, normally when breastfeeding stops, milk production tends to cease on its own, but if that doesn’t happen, there are medications that can help, and you just need to speak with a gynecologist or even the baby’s pediatrician. Remember, if everything seemed to be working but the emotional aspect is overwhelming, going back and offering the breast again is not wrong or shameful—it can happen. Of course, the mother should be aware that all the previous steps would need to be repeated when it’s time to wean again, or even wait for the child to stop breastfeeding on their own.
Blogger’s Note: Weaning can be a very challenging time for a mother; the feeling of “loss” can be strong amid the whirlwind of emotions. But know this: you will not be a worse mother for weaning your baby. There are situations that require weaning, regardless of your wishes. If you can breastfeed on demand until your child is 2, that’s wonderful! But if that’s not possible, I believe no mother would do anything to harm her baby, especially forced early weaning without an apparent or significant reason. The entire weaning process should and will be supervised by doctors who are specialists and know what’s best for your baby. Breastfeeding exclusively until the 6th month and then introducing foods is a natural process, and every baby will go through it sooner or later in a natural way.
See also: First Foods – Baby Puree
Photo: Etolane
